Life-preserver.



'0... A .-YO UNG,REN.

LIFE PBESERVER. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 14, 1913.

Patented Dec. 29,1'914.

T all/whom it may; concern UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OSCAR .Af YOUNGBEN, 0F SHERIDAN. \VYOMING.

LIFE-PRESERVER.

Be it known that I, )SCAR A. YoUNonnN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sheridan, Sheridan county, and State of \Vyoming, have invented and discovered certain new and: useful Improvements in Life-Preservers, of which the following is a specification,-

The object of my said invention is to provide a life preserrer in the form of a waterproof suit adapted to completely inclose the body of the wearer and to be put on over the clothing, and one which maybe readily adapted to heat the wearer regardless of weight, and provide means for sustenance during a consideraliile period, all as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, which are made "a part hereof, and on which similar reference characters indicate similar parts. "Figure-1 a view of a man having one of my improved life preservers adjusted as in position for use; Fig. :2 a detail View showing the upper portion of the suit in side elevation as when opered and ready to he put on; and Fig. 3 a detail section of the frame around the closure.

The general construction of the suit A. is substantiall as ilulicated'in Fig. 1, being of one piece and made of water-proof material, such rubber cloth and comprising legs, arms and a body portion. the legs terminating in foot cm'erings it) to receive the feet of the wearer. and the arms in hand coverings ll to receive the hands of the wearer. Elastic bands 12 around the ankles serve to retain the footeoverings 10 upon the feet, and niilar bands 13 retain the hand CUYOl'illQE: 11 upon the hands. By this means the suit may be made of a size to be worn by :1 person of an size. and the foot and hand. coverings can he held in place regardless of the lei'igth of the legs or arms of the wearer, adapting a single suit for use by persons of various sizes.

The only opening in the upper end extending from the top and shoulders down and across the front in a curved (llIT't tion. The body por tion of the suitat this opening is attached to a metal frame 14 hich is shaped suhstantially as shown in 2. to rest and fit comfortably upon th Hers and chest of the wearer. The rea portion of the suit is in one piece, termi; zting in a yoke 15 suit is at the approximately Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 14,

Patented Dec. 29, 1914.

1913. Serial no. 773,681.

is attached is adapted to fit snugly overthe portion 14- attached to the suit, and clamping screws 18, or other, appropriate fastening devices, extend through ears 'on opposite sides and are adapted to clamp the parts together when closed as indicated in Fig. l. A neck portion 20 of soft rubber, or other watenproof and elastic material, is attached to the yoke portion 15 and adapted to fit closely around the neck of the wearer. A hood portion 21 of water-proof material and having an elastic band around the edge of its opening attached to the upper portion of the suit by a strap thus providing for the protection the hair and the head of the wearer "iron, the water and the Weather.

A collapsible air chemo which is adapted to extend around the body of the wearer adjacent to the arm pits, either formed in piece with said suit or fi'n'ined separately and attached thereto. as may he desired. An inflating tube 24 with a mouth pie e 25 containing a valve which will permit the air to he rezulil blown into the ehanihcr. hut prevent its escape, is attaehed to r e side of said chamber in convenient, position and of appropriate length to he reached and used by the wearer. A fresh water or other liquid containing chumber t is alsoattached to the front of the suit and is adapted to contain fresh Water or other nourishing liquid and is provided with a tube 26, of convenient length to he used by the wearer, having a nozzle 27 containing a valve adapted to prevent ingress, but arranged to permit the contents to be drawn out by the person wearing the suit by suction. Y

The suit may be-used as follows: Its upper end is opened as shown in Fig. '2.

The person steps into 'the opening thus pro-.

*7 is pinvided coverings 10 are secured to the hands and feet respectively by the bands 12 and 13. The hood 21 is adjusted in position. The chamber B is inflated by blowing air through tube 2-1 until the proper degree of inflation has been secured. The wearer can then jump into the water with reasonable safety and will be held with head and shoulders floating above the water until rescued. Should the air chamber become deflated to any appreciable degree the wearer can readily supply the air, by blowing through tube 2*, to maintainits buoyancy as may be needed. .The nourishment provided in chamber C may be pal-taken of through tube 26'as the wearer needs it, and life be thus prolonged for an extended period of time or until rescued.

As will be understood, this suit can be readily and quickly put on by any person without stopping to remove clothing, whether man or woman, and will protect the clothing from water as well as protect the body of the wearer from the cold and eX- posure incident to a struggle for life in the water after shipwreck or other catastrophe.

Having thus fully described my said invention, What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A life preserver comprising a one piece suit of water-proof material provided with a neck yoke and adapted to inclose the entire person from neck to feet and having but a single opening at the upper end thereof, said opening being provided with a closure comprising a two part frame, one

suit, substantially as set forth.

3. A life preserver comprising a one piece suit of water-proof material with an opening at its upper end. a yoke connected with one side of said suit permanently and detach.-ibly connected to the other side of said suit whereby said opening may be tightly ciosed, an elastic self-closing neck piece carried by said yoke, an air chamber adapted to surround the body of the wearer, a liquid chamber also attached to said suit. means for supplying air to said air chamber, and means for withdrawing the contents from the liquid chamber, substantially as set forth.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal at Sheridan, Wyoming this 28 day of May, A. D. nineteen hundred and thirteen. 

